My name is Erica. I'm 19 and I've been vegetarian since 7th and have been wrestling with my weight for at least that long, if not longer. I hope with support from my fellow veg heads I might finally develop a more balanced veggie diet and finally drop this weight.

Hi, I am new to SparkPeople but an old friend to vegetarianism. I went veg at the age of 11, and I am now nearly 29, I would never go back, I just feel like it is a part of my nature to be a vegetarian. I am thinking about writing a vegetarian cookbook in the future as I LOVE to cook and invent new veg recipes.

I am getting married, a year from today actually! June 28, 2008, one of the many reasons I would like to get back to my healthy self.

~*~ Colleen ~*~

I will get to my goal weight before the ground thaws here in Colorado!

Hi Angelafit....Congrats on getting back to vegetarianism ;) For cookouts...if it's close friends and family they are very considerate of my being vegetarian and they will grill a variety of veggies, soy or veggie burgers and soydogs etc. Bring along some veggie meat with you or portabella mushrooms etc or such and most people, who would be inviting you to a cookout anyway, should be more than accomodating with allowing you to grill up a meat free alternative to a hamburger or hotdog etc. Good luck!

I started being a vegetarian when mty son was born. My husband and I knew that we wanted to raise our son as a vegetarian. I did not want my son to be the only vegetarian in the household and I had always wanted to give up meat. Three years after becoming a vegetarian, I started eating meat aagain. However, I have went back to being a vegetarian - three weeks yesterday. How do I stay a vegetarian at a cookout? Help!

Hey I'm Beth and I've been a vegetarian for three and a half years. I made the dicision because I loved animals and I felt wrong for eating them. So, in seventh grade right before thanksgiving I just was like "hey im a vegetarian now" and i just did it. It was kinda hard at first ,but after a while i tried veggie food and fell in love with it. There is some I can't even eat because it taste so real! but i love being a vegetarian and it's a very healthy way of life.I'd love to meet some people from this group.

Hello Everyone!!! I am Xavier. I am a soldier in the army and I am a singer, dancer, actor and writer. I am taking the big step to becoming a vegetarian. I admit it will be hard but it is important for me to work hard for what I believe in and I believe that eating meat is wrong. I also need to lose weight to better my health. My target weight is 168lbs I am hoping to get down to 158 and doing it the healthy way. If you want to know more about me or support the creation of my album and support my weight loss please feel free by checking my myspace out. www.myspace.com/xavierrowe

Hello! I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for about four years now. Though really, I'm kind of a junk-food-and-cheese vegetarian who is trying to change her ways. I also have hypothyroidism, so I've been trying to cut down on how much soy I eat which has been pretty hard for me, seeing how much I love boca burgers and tofu.

i'm a vegetarian for 12 years now, and i'm only 26. never tried to be vegan but some friends of mine are and if we eat together I'll eat vegan too! my trouble is chocolate so thats why i gained about 20 kg! just found this team!

I too am a vegetarian that has not given up dairy... but no eggs. I have just recently taken up a more active lifestyle and discovered spark pages just a few weeks ago. This week I have gone thru a great deal of anxiety with a mass found in a mammogram but now the biopsy has proven the mass to be benign now I am ready to rock to a healthy and fit body.

Hi everyone - its great to see so many of you out there! My name is Carrie and I have been a vegetarian for 17 years. I cannot seem to give up cheese, but I will someday... I am determined to lose some weight and get back to feeling normal! I was diagnosed with chronic hives in Oct and have been on tons of antihistamines - UGH! This looks like a great place to give and receive support on this journey!

Howdy, folks. I'm Jen, a fairly strict vegetarian from Southern California. I recently gave up dairy and eggs. I'm getting ready to see a nutritionalist to make sure I'm doing everything right, eating well-balanced meals, planning meals properly, etc. A few people who post a Yahoo! Answers suggested the food tracker here would be good for recording the foods I eat (I'll need to submit food diaries to the nutritionist). I'm absolutely loving the changes I've made in my diet - I don't miss any of the things I've stopped eating. I had pretty poor eating habits prior to going veg, but I've turned that around completely! Anyway, I'm married, 35, and have one cat, no kids and my favorite forms of exercise are my elliptical in the living room (I watch the shows I'm too embarassed to watch when anyone else is around...like Simple Life!), free weights for arms and bust (5lb), smashball!, and this kickboxing bootcamp dvd I have. I'm a housewife/business owner who works from home so i do a lot of bustling around the house during the day. I hate gyms and will not go. Later this year we're moving to a place where I can join a lake club (Vail Lake) and go swimming and play tennis regularly. I'm looking forward to that. I'm looking forward to eating even healthier and losing some weight to boot!

Hi, I'm Kathi. New to the Spark family and I have been a veggie for about 20 years now. I'm happy to see so many of you are on this site. I find it hard to diet when so many plans call for eating things I don't like to eat. I have not made the complete jump to vegan ( I like dairy products too much) but eggs are long gone from my life. Any suggestions?

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, throughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming --WOW-- What a RIDE!!"

Hi Jelenor, I want to caution you with eating soy with an impaired thyroid.

FDA's Soy Experts Speak Out Against Soy

"there is abundant evidence that some of the isoflavones found in soy, including genistein and equol, a metabolize of daidzen, demonstrate toxicity in estrogen sensitive tissues and in the thyroid. This is true for a number of species, including humans.

Additionally, isoflavones are inhibitors of the thyroid peroxidase which makes T3 and T4. Inhibition can be expected to generate thyroid abnormalities, including goiter and autoimmune thyroiditis. There exists a significant body of animal data that demonstrates goitrogenic and even carcinogenic effects of soy products. Moreover, there are significant reports of goitrogenic effects from soy consumption in human infants and adults."

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/soyinfo/a/soy.htm

Hope this helps, Peggy

Edited by: GODMYFULLNESS at: 6/24/2007 (15:00)

*****My son, Harold and three of my grandsons (Sarah's sons). These boys are much much taller now. I need new pictures******

Peggy from Michigan

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
Colossians 1:19 (NIV)

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass . . . it's about learning to dance in the rain!

Hi, I'm Jelenor, vegan in Philadelphia. I just moved here a year ago to marry my sweetie who has a great job here. I was mostly vegetarian before but my husband is vegan and so I thought I'd just go the whole way to make things easier for us. And we're loving the whole lifestyle, cooking together and enjoying very tasty vegan dishes! We prefer very spicy cuisines like Indian, Asian, and African dishes. I have a couple of questions about veganism.

One thing, I seem to have developed low thyroid, anyone else? Are there vegan strategies for combatting low thyroid?

Also, any other vegans in Philly? Would love to hear about local vegan restaurants, groceries, or groups.

Hi! I'm Elle, I've been vegan for about 5 months now, and the change brought me out of a long streak of strict unhealthy dieting. Which is a good thing and a bad thing. It's good that I stopped starving myself, but bad because I replace one unhealthy habit with another. I gained 15 lbs from eating tons of vegan dishes and desserts, plus I stopped working out altogether. I want to get into a healthier groove before I leave home for school in August. It will be great to have some support!

Hello! I'm new to this forum, I've just started eating veggie again. I was a vegan for about 2 years in high school, but started eating meat again after my mom talked me into trying the atkins diet with her (horrible diet) after that diet failed I just continued to eat meat but was never really a fan of it, it always creeped me out. Now I'm 20 years old and I've recently decided to pick up that lifestyle again. I eat mostly vegan meals now and I feel great. alot of my friends are vegetarian/vegans and unlike back in high school, I have alot of positive support. I guess I joined the forum because sometimes I get really down and feel like there is no hope for all the cute animals out there. I enjoy talking to other veggies because it gives me hope that one day the majority of people will realize the benefits of this lifestyle.

Heyhey! I'm new here, and excited to hear everyones stories. I was raised a vegetarian, so that is 20 years of non-meat now! I know I will never eat meat, but since my better half is a hunter and meat-lover if I ever get children I think I will let them eat meat when they are young untill the are old enough to make their own decision. It's just that, if someone is raised a vegetarian and wants to change and start eaing meat or fish, that is really hard because the body doesn't know how to digest it. But I will definitely always go for vegetables, beans, nuts, soy, tofu, quorn, etc.etc..

I've been a vegetarian since I was born, I'm 19. My 2 sisters are both raising their children vegetarian. My brother and monther are also veggie but my father is not.

Here is one of the hard things about being a veggie -

"I went into this cafe at the bus station, and I asked if they had any soup, they didn't because it was early, so I asked what else I could have, this woman said, "We hav vegan sausages", so I was like YAY! :D Then she asked me what kind I wanted, square or normal?! Well, I've never heard of square veggie sausages, let alone Vegan ones! So I asked if both were vegetarian and she said neither was!! I thought well how could they be vegan if they're not even vegetarian!!! :P He He! Well, they were nice people anyway, this one girl just didn't no what Veganism was, as she offered me an egg sandwich next!! Her friend said I couldn't eat that, so I just asked 4 a plain bun! So I got this bun in a bag, I went and sat down after goin 2 buy a vegan sausage roll from a newsagents, (didn't know the vegan sausage rolls existed either), when I opened the bun 2 put sum vegan cheese on, the lady had put butter on it!!! Crazy!!"

Hello :) I'm new spark and just getting the hang of all this. Thought I'd introduce myself to my fellow vegetarians/vegans and 'wannabes' *grins* I've been vegetarian for 10 years now....prior to that I ate mainly vegetarian but some seafood. I have two sons who are being raised vegetarian as well. I have some health issues that cause me a good deal of bloating so being very cautious with my over all weight and excersise regime is very important to me. I'm here looking to lose about 10 to 15 pounds or so. It always seems to be those last 10 pounds that just kill me lol Hope every one has had a wonderful week thus far.... Melanie

Hi Melissa I think maybe you would like to know more about Macrobiotics in Japan. They eat vegan the most of time and sometimes eat fish. You do not have to eat fish. Maybe it will be easy fo you to be vegan in Japan. I read the Macrobiotics cooking and it said there is George Ohsava's Center in Yokohama. Hope it will help you. Diana

Love is stronger than the currents of deep waters. Love is stronger than death. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of the Heavenly Father: And every one that loveth is born Of the Heavenly Father and the Earthly Mother, And knoweth the Angels. By The Essene Gospel of Peace.

Kris! welcome aboard! There are a lot of veggie-meat options out there! especially from morning star farms. Look in the frozen food section or ask a store clerk if you can't find the meat substitutes. Try a few out and see what you like. They work well in veggie stirfry and anywhere else you would use meat. They taste pretty good too.

Hi everyone, I've been apart of Spark for about 3 weeks. I am very interested in becoming a vegetarian, I gave of pork and beef several years ago. Now I'm looking to give up chicken. I'm not sure how to do it. So I'm here for lots of help, advice and motivation.

Hi, I'm Kara. I am back on the vegetarian band wagon after coursing off for a few months. I'm back and better than ever! Vegan is the way for me now. It makes me feel so much better than a diet including meat. I am in the process of ridding bulimia (it hasn't helped me lose weight ever by the way) from my life and want to get back to the most comfortable weight I managed to obtain years ago from hard work and dedication. Eating right and moving your bod is the only way to get there. This site is wonderful and I'm here to support anyone who needs it. cheers!

My name is Melissa. I'm new to sparkpeople, but not to being veg. I'm lacto-ovo, but I'm leaning more and more toward vegan. Right now, I'm living in Japan, but in August I'll be returning to my home in Idaho to live with my fiance. It's hard being veg in Japan, but I've managed so far!

It'll be easier to eat healthier when I get back home, because right now I just eat whatever vegetarian food I'm lucky enough to find. As a result, I'm focusing mostly on my fitness goals right now.

Hi Veggie Heads!I have been a vegetarian for 1 1/2 years (The other half of the year, I fell off vegetarianism to try a diet program, that I won't name, that absolutely ruined my digestion with too much meat, and ended up costing me $4000 for all the foods, supplements, and paying someone to tell me I wasn't doing the diet right [no matter what I did] twice a week. I never did lose any weight to speak of. ) I am back, and I will not fall off again, I promise. I feel so much healthier. There are other vegetarians in my family: my brothers-in-law, and my son. And semi-vegetarians are my daughter and my parents in their 80s. My son says a vegetarian diet is great for your health, but he never lost any weight. He is a carb lover, however, and a long distance cyclist, and is fantastic shape. What do you guys do to lose weight? Whenever I start a diet, I lose weight for the first few weeks then I plateau out. Praise Jesus, my cholesterol, sugar, etc. are great. My husband is a workaholic, meat-eating, 2-pack-a-day smoker, but the kindest, most Christian man I know. I would appreciate any of your prayers for him, that the Lord will touch his heart and empower him to change his habits.

Hello, I was a vegetarian for many years (ethical) and vegan at times. Then the low carb rage hit, got married to a meateater and gave up my ideals...well back on my own and thank heavens back to my roots and my real self. Just found this website today and am thrilled to find a veggie component. I am excited and hopeful. Thanks.

My name is LaKesha Yates I was a semi-Vegetarian about three years, following the Hallelujah Diet. This past year I got pregnant and all of that went out of the window and I started eating Chicken and Turkey again. My son is now 4 months old and I am trying to get back to my old self again with changing my diet and exercise. This seems like a good place for me to start

Hi! I haven't eaten meat since 2000 and I don't miss it at all. My biggest problem is with eating out - vegetarian options always seem to be the most unhealthy thing on the menu in restaurants. I have never been tempted to go vegan because I love dairy, but I do buy organic dairy produce - healthier, happier animals make me healthier and happier!

Focus on what you DO want to eat and what you WILL accomplish—not just on how many pounds you want to lose. Keep track of your calories as a necessary tactical measure, but don’t confuse going over on any given day with "failure." There’s more going on than what happens on any single day, and well-framed goals can help you keep that in view.

Hello Everyone! More than twenty years ago I wanted to be a vegetarian because of a better health. Later I read a cookbook for the vegetarians and explained that it is not necessary to kill innocent animals and hurt the enviornment. I decided that I will not eat meats and eggs at all. About two years I wanted to be a vegan, but my health seemed not so well. I decided that during the summer time I am the vegetarian and during the winter time I am the vegan to keep the balance. Before I became vegan, I had the problem with weight...I joined S.P last May. To follow the nutrition menu really helped me. Thanks! Diana

Edited by: DIANARMC at: 6/19/2007 (22:28)

Love is stronger than the currents of deep waters. Love is stronger than death. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of the Heavenly Father: And every one that loveth is born Of the Heavenly Father and the Earthly Mother, And knoweth the Angels. By The Essene Gospel of Peace.

Hi! I am new to vegetarianism. I have become vegetarian for a number of reasons. First of all, health. Second, my daughters decided to become vegetarian and, since one of them is still living at home, it is just easier to fix ONE meal for the family. She is thinking of becoming vegan. Is it difficult to get your nutrition in with that? We live way out in the sticks and do not have things like edame, hummus, or quinoa within a fifty mile radius...LOL.

Hello all, I became a vegitarian about a year and a half ago and I did it for health reasons. I feel a whole lot better but a whole lot fatter!! I have been struggling with my weight up & down for 18 years now, my first pregnancy wa the beginning of it all. I was so glad to hear about this sight and then when I found a team that was veggies, I think this time I just might be able to do it! I praise God that he lead me hear. Blessings to all, Jennifer

Thank you, Peggy. I should also let you know that I put a note up on my wall opposite my bed. It says "Thank You, God...my cholesterol is under 200 by May 30th" That note was on my wall 6 weeks before May 30th. So prayer and thanks to God were also a part of my plan..still true. Carolyn

My name is Iris and this is my second time going veg. I was a vegetarian for well over 2 years in high school, but when you live with someone who loves meat, I don't know... I just started eating what they did just to save money. However, my mom & I have both decided to go veg, due to the recent 9 million some off pounds of beef that got recalled. I am giving up all meat, but my mom is still going to eat fish and some poultry. It's only been one day, and I already feel a million times better & I've already lost 2 lbs. =) Go veg!

Hi all...introducing myself here... So glad for this Vegie Team! Thanks! 6 weeks ago my cholesterol report was 303 (freaked me out to hear that) so I started a daily gym thing and began eating a vegie way...learning from all of you...added flaxseed meal to my morning oatmeal and added omega 3 and 6 capsules along with Dr. prescribed Zetia. In 6 weeks my cholesterol report dropped to 192!! Yahoo. Dr. says "keep up the good work!" Yes, I will! Carolyn

Hello all! I have been a vegetarian for many years now and it helps that my significant other is also a vegetarian I think. I have toyed with becoming vegan but quite honestly I cannot give up cheese. I have tried all the options (rice slices for example) and have a thyroid disorder so I need to steer clear of soy so I have pretty much accepted my cheese intake ;). One day, someone will come up with an awesome non-soy cheese substitute that melts and tastes like real cheese hehe. This seems like a great forum!

I have been a lacto ovo vegetarian for about 2 1/2 years. I find I lean more and more towards vegan type meals. I just like them. I cannot eat soy or sugar at all. I have fun experimenting to come up with foods I enjoy eating. It gives me pleasure to help others here on the boards. I find by searching out answers to questions I have learned a lot myself. I am not sure when I joined this team but it has been awhile now.(sometime last year) Just wanted to introduce myself to the new members and welcome you all to the team!

My body thanks me for eating this healthy!~Peggy

Edited by: GODMYFULLNESS at: 6/19/2007 (02:11)

*****My son, Harold and three of my grandsons (Sarah's sons). These boys are much much taller now. I need new pictures******

Peggy from Michigan

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
Colossians 1:19 (NIV)

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass . . . it's about learning to dance in the rain!

Just trying to start activity in our new Forums! I'm Coach Nicole. I started this Team several months ago and am happy to see it continue to grow and become an even better resource for our veg'n members. I've been vegetarian for over six years myself (I was vegan for the first four of those years). Now I am mostly ovo vegetarian, but occasionally eat organic milk products like cheese. I'm happy to be part of this Team and try to help out our members whenever I get the chance.

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